TECHNOLOGY HAS SQUASHED OUR FEAR OF REJECTION

If technology has done one positive thing for humanity, it’s almost completely squashed fear of rejection, alleges new research by Sparks and Honey and the Museum of Sex. The fear of rejection is much lower online, as having some swipe you away on Tinder or not respond to a message is much less discouraging than being told off in person (or on the phone, if anyone remembers when those were used to actually speak to other human beings).

Other alleged upsides to technology interacting with our love lives: The internet allows singles to pluck potential mates from niche groups. So if you absolutely just cannot date someone unless they’re into fantasy taxidermy, technology can help you find that person. Also thanks to the internet, you can easily source “professional cuddle buddies.”

The research points out other technological advancements like “selfie scrubbing” — a service that retouches your social media pictures.

So in sum: we’re less afraid of rejection and more likely to be in touch with people we should probably reject.